“In our lives, change is unavoidable, loss is unavoidable. In the adaptability and ease with which we experience change lies our happiness and freedom.” – Buddha

It is finally summer. For the class of 2016, this summer is the bridge between high school and the transformative era of emerging adulthood. Some graduates will attend college, while others will join the armed forces, enter the workforce, or simply take time for them.

But summer is more than warm weather and a break from school. It is a time of renewal and preparation. Summer is what propels us into the next phase of life: from second grade to third and eventually from juniors in high school to seniors. You may have entered your final year of k-12 education with college all planned out. Maybe you didn’t have any idea of what you wanted. You were bombarded with those pervasive and annoying questions like “where are you going to school?” and “what do you plan to major in?” only to have your vague intentions scrutinized by many.

You probably entered your senior year already prepared to leave but couldn’t ignore the feeling of missing things and people before they were gone. And admit it: you had some list of what you wanted to change or accomplish that you made during the summer. Maybe your list included making or breaking relationships, transforming your image, getting a new style, making better grades or joining something new.

And regardless of how many changes you accomplished your senior year, this summer you may already have a new list. You know, of things and people you want to say goodbye to. A list of all the things to take to college. Or a list of all the things you want to be involved in once you get there. You are excited for “what this new chapter will bring,” just as every social media caption has explained. And you should be. But us students who have gotten through the first year of college, we are thinking of all the finals weeks, the unnecessary dorm decorations you will regret, those great nights, and the bad days.

As we watch high school seniors tour our own campuses, we can’t help but think about all the changes we’ve made in just one year. We didn’t know what changes would happen, but if we have allowed the right changes to benefit us, we can agree that we are better people for it.

But here’s the thing, change happens naturally. You cannot stop it. If you try to, you are just delaying it. Everyone’s experience is different. So you will have to own yours.

Are you nervous about changing in the wrong ways? Ways that will tear apart old friendships from high school? Or changing in ways that will harm yourself?

Don’t be. Because whatever experience you are about to face, it will teach you so much about yourself. And if you want these next few years to better you as a person, you have to be open to change.

Let’s go one step further. Don’t just be open to change but challenge yourself towards change, as well. College is what you make it. No one is telling you what to do with your time. This leaves all the responsibility on you to decide what you are going to do each day. Those choices over time will reflect your character. Not your grades, not your major, not your involvement in Greek life or lack thereof, or what bedding is in your dorm.

What every high school graduate needs to know is this: you have the opportunity to be more you. Don’t try to change to be something you failed to be in high school. Just be who you were created to be, and you will set your world ablaze with passion. People from back home may treat you like who you once were, but you are going to have to fight for who you are going to be now.

And it’s time to realize what qualities people expect you to be and what qualities are actually you. Choose the latter and ignore everything that distracts you from growing as a person.